The new presses have been upgraded and can now reach 400 degrees, an answer to previous customer feedback.? The EasyPress 2 devices are faster to warm up too.? Ashish Arora stated during his presentation that while a regular heat press may take 7 minutes to reach the desired 315 degrees the EasyPress 2 would warm up in less that one minute (6″ x 7″), less than 2 minutes (9″ x 9″) and less than 3 minutes (12″ x 10″).? The warm-up?time is 25% faster than the original EasyPress.

Rather than the original coral color, the new EasyPress will feature raspberry colored handles.

Space is a common compromise when selecting a heat press – that and the choice of items that you are planning to make for yourself or your business.? Many adopt a clamshell heat press as it requires less space than a swing away or multifunction press.? The problem is that sometimes compromise sells us short and ends up limiting the things we want to create.? US Cutter has gone some way to reducing the problem here with their Volcano Heat Press.

The Volcano heat press is like a traditional 15″x15″ heat press BUT it has the added bonus of being able to function with a mug press attachment.? The Volcano has an additional hookup port on the side that allows you to attach an (optional) mug press attachment.

Cricut EasyPress users frequently ask what settings should I use to apply Siser?Heat Transfer Vinyl to my project, can I use Siser?HTV?

The answer is YES – the Cricut EasyPress will work with any heat transfer vinyl product BUT the application and temperature may differ from the manufacturer’s recommendations for a regular heat press.

?When you press with an iron you press onto a hard surface like a tile or cookie sheet maximizing the amount of pressure with as much downward force as you can muster.

Temperature, unless you have a IR thermometer is purely trial and error – higher is not always better and could lead to melting.? Time is guesswork and you’re looking to see if and when the vinyl has bonded well with your garment/project.? Repeated pressing over different areas can lead to overheating or inconsistent results.

The Cricut EasyPress is a mixture of both techniques.? Cricut has not released their pressing mat yet and it is recommended to use something like a towel as a pressing?surface under your project (differing from the basic iron method)? Some have recommended using rubber mats like heat presses have – you can get them online via Amazon:

You can get a Cricut?EasyPress, IR Thermometer, pressing mat here and check out our recommendations for heat presses right here if interested.? It is recommended that you use an IR thermometer to calibrate your heat press temperature as well as to test your iron settings to get the optimum temperature.

Pro-level performance and home-friendly design
the big handle, Safety Base, and auto shutoff feature keep things safe every step of the way
The evenly heated plate adheres your iron?on in 60 seconds or less

With Christmas around the corner (see our significant others ideas post!) you may be deciding on what kind of press you want to put on your Christmas list, either that or maybe you’re just looking for the best investment right now to start working on heat transfer vinyl, HTV, products.

Cricut EasyPress 2

Let’s take a look at the differentiators between the Cricut EasyPress, EasyPress 2 vs heat press.

Cricut has released the new EasyPress 2 models.? They differ from the original EasyPress below in that there are now 3 sizes as well as faster heat up times, higher temperature options and a new raspberry finish vs the existing coral design.

Cricut EasyPress – $149

The Easy Press is a 9″ by 9″ square device.? It is designed with a special heating element that even distributes heat across the non-stick heat plate.? Pitched somewhere between an iron and or heat press replacement the Easy Press offers a number of advantages over both!

Irons are not designed for even, controlled temperature distribution needed for applying heat transfer vinyl.? See the image below from Cricut that?shows the distribution of heat across both an iron and EasyPress.

The EasyPress comes with a heat protective stand allowing you to store your press while working without damaging your work surface.? The EasyPress comes to temperature faster than a regular heat press and the temperature can be controlled via the digital controls on top of the device.

Heat Transfer Vinyl, HTV, is known to require pressure as well as heat to adhere the vinyl to the target garment/surface.? To this end, the Cricut EasyPress has a large plastic handle on top of the device enabling you to push down on the unit to apply sufficient pressure to adhere the vinyl to the surface.? It has been raised many times as a concern that the EasyPress cannot apply sufficient?pressure to successfully bond HTV to items but Cricut maintains that only some pressure is required to achieve a good long lasting result.

Others have reported mixed results with peeling designs and missing letters after washing so there seems to be mixed feedback on the usage.? It’s very common for peeling to occur with people using irons, less commonly reported with people who use presses though – but not unheard of!

Cricut offers an iron-on protective sheet for use with the EasyPress for just $6.99, this goes between your item and the heat plate to protect and also help provide even heat distribution.

This is the same as the teflon?sheets commonly used by heat press users.

Pro-level performance and home-friendly design
the big handle, Safety Base, and auto shutoff feature keep things safe every step of the way
The evenly heated plate adheres your iron?on in 60 seconds or less

Heat Press – from $159

We’ve covered the multitude of press choices here in Heat Press 101 and have some awesome recommendations here for best Clamshell heat press – we’ll only compare here the clamshells as the closest functionally to the Cricut Easy Press vs multifunction presses that can be used for other items like cups, hats, plates and more.

Here is how the Tee Square It works!

Cricut has announced the Cricut Easy Press, to be launched on August 20th and later featured on HSN in October. ?Essentially the Cricut Easy Press is a 9″x9″ heat plate with a large handle on top, complete with a tray for the hot press to sit in when not being used. ?The main features of the Easy Press are touted as:

? Easy to learn, simple to use
? No press cloth needed for most base materials
? Adjustable heat up to 360? (180 C)
? Intricate transfers stick after repeated washes
? Great for large or layered iron-on projects
? Lightweight, portable, easy to store
? Compatible with major brands of heat-transfer material

The idea is that this is the heat press for the occasional crafter who wants to apply HTV to projects. ?Targetted at less frequent users and people who have no space to house a regular heat press, the Cricut Easy Press could well take off as a popular product.

The main concern with the Cricut Easy Press has been that it is well known that pressure is required to bond HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl) to your item. ?People who use irons use tremendous pressure to apply HTV in the absence of a heat press. ?Cricut has shown videos for applying vinyl, complete with shirts that have done multiple wash cycles to test the longevity of the HTV. ?So far so good according to Cricut. ?The crafting and pressing community remain skeptical! ?The Cricut Easy Press has a unique heat plate that provides a uniform temperature across the 9″x9″ press. ?See the image below that compares the Easy Press to a regular iron for temperature distribution.

Products from Amazon.com

The definition, the?best clamshell heat press has different meanings depending on your needs and price. ?Whether you are a hobbyist, home or small business you probably have different requirements?and budget in mind.

We aim here to cover best entry level clamshell heat press, some mid range as well as high end presses that are suitable for pressing t-shirts, pillows, onesies and other flat items. ?If you are looking to press hats, cups, mugs or plates then check out our other article on multifunction heat presses.

Best Entry Level Clamshell Heat Presses

For hobbyists and small business users you are most likely looking for a cheap entry point to heat transfer and making t-shirts. ?We have a number of recommenations for you to suit your budget and startup needs.

US Cutter 15″x15″ Heat Press bundle

If you are starting out then the US Cutter is a wonderful deal to get you pressing right out of the box. ?The heat press comes with two sheets of heat transfer vinyl (HTV) as well as two t-shirts and a non-stick teflon sheet to protect your shirts and design as you press. ?US Cutter provides US based support and has a great following. ?They also sell vinyl and other higher end presses including auto open presses and multifunction presses. ?As their lower end starter press this represents the best value deal and a thumbs?up from us.

FancierStudio 15″x15″ Heat Press

This is probably the lowest price entry point for those looking for a clamshell heat press. ?For around $150 right now you cannot find a better deal on a 15″x15″ heat press. ?Cheaper presses from this price point and down are 12″x15″ heat platens which while they work fine, they may present issues if you want to press larger garments or designs – you will have to double press. ?The FancierStudio press is a sturdy build, well reviewed and popular press in the crafting groups online. ?If you are on an absolute budget then this is the press for you.

Powerpress 15″x15″ Heat Press

This quality-wise is a step up from the press above and from personal experience it is a fantastic press. ?If you are in the craft groups on Facebook both for Cricut and Silhouette, this is the most recommended heat press by far. ?To add to it’s accolades it is Amazon’s best selling heat press with solid reviews and ratings. ?It is a close call between this press and the US Cutter press, the latter probably wins out based on the local US support and bundle options which are a huge plus if you are just starting out.

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US Cutter 15×15 Volcano Clamshell Heat Press with optional Mug Press

This is a little more expensive than the above models but it differs in one important area.? The US Cutter Volcano press is a regular clamshell BUT it has an additional hookup for an optional mug press attachment.? This gives you more flexibility to make cups but retains the solid construction of a clamshell.? The optional mug press attachment costs an additional $79.99.? US Cutter offers US based support.? Seriously check this press out if you plan to make more than shirts.? It is feasible that US Cutter could release an optional hat press too.

Best Midrange Clamshell Heat Presses

These heat presses offer more functionality like auto open and larger heat platens as well as local US support from companies like US Cutter and Hotronix.

US Cutter Auto Open 15″x15″ Clamshell Heat Press

This is a heavy duty commercial grade heat press. ?Unlike the manual heat presses this clamshell will automatically open the press once the timer goes off. ?If you are busy working large orders this function is a huge plus as you can set and forget your press and it will release ready for the next shirt while you multitask and concentrate on getting the next shirt ready. ?This auto open heat press will streamline your pressing process. ?Like the entry level model above the auto open press comes with 6 sheets of heat transfer vinyl (HTV).

Powerpress 16″ x 24″ Clamshell Heat Press

If you are into making larger designs and want to press XXL and larger shirts, pillow cases, sheets, milestone blankets then this is the press for you. ?Offering a huge 16″x24″ heat platen you will be able to press designs that max out your Cricut or Cameo’s design limits!

Hotronix?Maxx 15″x15″ Clamshell Heat Press

This is a big step up in price but also performance. ?The Hotronix presses are heavy duty commercial grade presses. ?The Maxx features superior heating elements which ensure that you have consistent and accurate temperatures across your heat plate with no cold spots or variance. ?The price jump between these presses and the other midrange is high but this is due to a much superior product with fantastic local support. ?If you are getting into business and wanting to invest in a heat press that will last through the years with consistent professional results this is the starter press for you!

Best High End Clamshell Heat Presses

These are the presses if money is not an issue and you want the best presses in the industry with commercial grade build quality and longevity. ?These presses are a business investment that will provide consistent professional results day in day out and have local US support should you have issues with your press.

Hotronix 16?16? Auto Open Clamshell Heat Press

This commercial grade heat press offers a larger 16″x16″ heat platen with magnetic auto-opening. ?The timer resets when the press auto-opens ready for the next item to help streamline your pressing process. ?The Hotronix features digital time, temperature and pressure controls, Twin TimerTM for programming two independent time settings, Auto Sleep Mode as well as magnetic assist lock-down. ?This press also has a wider opening to help you lay down your design without getting caught on the heat element. ?The heat plate is also teflon coated for protection.

Hotronix?Fusion 16″x20″ Heat Press

Now we are into serious presses. ?These are actually swing?away not clamshells but are the top of the line heat presses. ?They offer touch screen control of temperature, time and pressure. The teflon coated heat platen swings away from the plate and additionally the tray slides towards you so you can better place your design away from the heat source. ?You can program your heat, pressure and time preferences into memory on this press so you can switch between settings quickly and reliably press using the correct temperature and time every time! The Maxx also features the auto off functionality.

Hotronix?Fusion Air 16″x20″ Heat Press

As with the press above you have the touch screen control, multiple programmable settings, swing away, slide out drawer functionality. ?The difference with the Fusion Air is that it comes in a tabletop format and features auto open.

The Hotronix presses have the best warranties:

Lifetime Heating Element Warranty
5 year warranty on major components
2 year warranty on circuitry board
1 year warranty on parts and labor

Disclaimer:We are Amazon affiliates. ?Links on these pages do earn us commission on orders placed BUT this does not affect the price to you! ? We hope and appreciate that you find our advice and reviews useful and worthy of a click through order to Amazon!

Here is a great video walkthrough on how to use and configure your Shareprofit heat press. ?This is a great alternative to the very poorly written on non-existent manuals that come with these cheaper presses. ?The Shareprofit press featured is the same basic press used by BestEquip, OrangeA, Zeny and Vevor. ?The PDF version of the manuals can be found here for reference but check out this great video for a complete guide on how to use the press.

To purchase the Shareprofit press or check out alternatives like the 15×15 heat platen versions from BestEquip or OrangeA